Barner put together his fourth straight 100-yard rushing game, needing just nine carries to reach 103 yards with a pair of touchdowns. Thomas was equally explosive, carrying five times for 97 yards and a score. But it was Thomas’ 73-yard punt return for a touchdown that was eye-popping. Thomas chased down the ball with his back to the opposite end zone, turned the corner, side-stepped a couple of tackles and then took off down the sidelines for the score.

In relief of Mariota, backup quarterback Bryan Bennett rushed for 73 yards and three touchdowns. Mariota finished the game 10-of-14 for 136 yards with a pair of touchdown passes. He also carried four times for 23 yards and a score.

Colorado (1-7, 1-4) picked up a pair of third-quarter touchdowns from Christian Powell, who rushed for 121 yards on 20 carries. But as many teams do, the Buffaloes found themselves in a 28-0 hole by the end of the first quarter.

Oregon (8-0, 5-0) has kept up its end of the deal and travels to Los Angeles next week undefeated for its much-anticipated showdown with USC.